Profile Evaluation - 650 Q:43 V:36 AWA: 6.0

[sk2006ucf]

I just took the GMAT yesterday for the second time (first time was a 610) and am somewhat dissappointed by my score considering I was testing in upper 600 lower 700 range in practice. My quant was pretty low falling in the 65 percentile which I am not too happy about (overall of 79 percentile combining verbal).

Details about myself:

Age: 26
Male
Ethnicity: Filipino/Lebanese
Industry: Banking
Work Exp: 4-5 yrs

I graduated from a state school in Florida, 3.6 GPA, Cum Laude, involved in many extracurriculars. Over my past 4 years of working, I've managed to climb up from the commercial banking sector to make my way into investment banking, an accomplishment in itself, considering a majority of schools down in FL are non-target schools for IB. I remain involved in a lot of community service in the city I work in, and try to get involved in activities outside my daily job.

With the score I've received, I've adjusted my target schools, and I'd like to get an opinion on if these are still plausible choices for full-time MBA. I'm looking to get a focus on entrepreneurship and potentially work for a startup post MBA.

1) UCLA
2) Texas
3) USC
4) IE Business School
5) NYU

I plan on going second round for most of these. Do you think it is worth it for me to take the GMAT for a third time (I'd need to take probably by early November) to try to hit higher in the 600s, or at this point should I just start focusing on my essays/rec letters to try to put together a complete package that addresses the weaker GMAT? Will it really be a big factor to get those extra points?

I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

[mbamission]

Hi Sk2006,

Thanks for writing in. The decision to retake the GMAT is largely based on your confidence that you can get into the upper 600s with proper preparation. For some of the schools you are applying to, you will be below the median GMAT but in the 20-80 range. If you can turn your GMAT into a strength, or even a non-factor, then that can only help your chances.

From your list I would project you would be competitive at UT and USC, and the other ones are reaches. Those extra points can be helpful in your cause, especially if you can raise your quant score.

Best of luck,
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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